Gallerie des Modes et Costumes Français, 1780, hh 190 : La petite fille vue de fac (...) 1780

Charles Emmanuel Patas crafted this print around 1780. Observe the central figure, adorned with feathers—a symbol of status and frivolity during the late 18th century. This plumage evokes the ancient Roman goddess Fortuna, often depicted with feathered wings or headdresses, embodying the capricious nature of fate. Yet, here, atop a child's head, it speaks to the fleeting nature of fashion and societal expectations. Consider how such symbols re-emerge across time; the feathered adornments echo in Renaissance portraits, signaling power, and resurface in theatrical costumes, each time shifting subtly in meaning, influenced by collective memory and subconscious desires. The gaze of the children, fixed on their play, draws us into their world, reminding us of the emotional power embedded in such fleeting moments, capable of engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The symbols aren't static but rather, they progress cyclically, evolving and resurfacing in different historical contexts.